cassowary
(plural – ‘cassowaries‘)
a kind of bird – large and flightless (cannot fly) – belongs to ratites
There are three recognised species (kinds):
1.
southern cassowary — two wattles
Southern cassowary or ‘double-wattled cassowary’ or ‘two-wattled cassowary’ – found in Australia and New Guinea; grows to 5 to 6 feet tall and weighs up to 70 Kg. – has two wattles that run down its throat
2.
dwarf cassowary
Dwarf cassowary – found in the mountain forests of New Guinea, New Britain and Yapin islands; also knows as ‘Bennett’s cassowary’, ‘mountain cassowary’, or ‘mooruk’ –the smallest of the three kinds – 3.5 feet tall and only 18 Kg. in weight
3.
northern cassowary
Northern cassowary – found in New Guinea; also known as ‘single-wattled cassowary’ or ‘golden-necked cassowary’) grows to 5 feet and weighs 37 kg.; single ‘red or golden yellow’ wattle
cassowary wattles
Cassowaries, in general, have horn-like crests (like helmets) on their blue skinned heads; brown triangular beaks (bills); they have wattles (= long loose skin folds) that run down their throats; they have strong long legs with three toes on each foot with dagger-like claw on each toe, with which they can defend themselves and even wound other animals, including humans; they feed on fruit, shoots, grass seeds, worms, insects, small lizards, frogs and small snakes; lives for 40-45 years.
Though they cannot fly, they can run at 50 km/h; though they are heavy birds, they can jump 5 feet; and though they are not water birds, they can swim very well. After laying eggs, the female bird does not take care of the nest which the male makes on the ground – a bedding of 2 to 4 inches thick, and it is the male bird that incubates and looks after the chicks for nine months, which is a very rare feature in the bird world. In general they are very shy – it is very difficult to see them in their natural habitat, but they can be very aggressive when disturbed, and can injure big animals, including humans, with their strong legs and clawed, three-toed feet. Therefore, it is no wonder the Guinness Book of World Records – 2004 placed the cassowary as the most dangerous bird! BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language.
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Southern cassowary is the third largest flightless bird (first of the flightless being the ostrich and the second, emu); and second heaviest bird (first being the ostrich).
About the Author:BC Kumar
